By Mare Barasik
Salutations everyone,
The first thing we saw when we arrived in the village was a welcoming energy, with everyone smiling, and more than one person offering to help us as a group. When we were trying to carry our bags, people came from all around to help. When we had questions, people came to answer. The host at the hotel, Bandia, wanted everyone to see the inside of the huts before we could even have questions to ask. Even at meals, without us even asking, everything was refilled. Back home, you usually need to ask for those things. All of this kindness and helpfulness, showed the respect that people have towards others even if they’re not from their country. I never felt alone. There was always someone to ask or someone to help us.
This helped me see one of the biggest things I noticed during my time in Senegal – the way people live their lives. A good example is Gie, the man who drove our donkey cart. The whole way to the village on the island by Hakuna Lodge, Carter and I tried to talk with him, and he genuinely looked happy while speaking with us. We used hand signs and the few words we knew – like bottle of water (bouteille d’eau). We went back and forth on everything until we understood each other. We used Google Translate when we could. The important thing was that the person in front of us never wanted us to leave or go away. When you look around, you see people living without rushing. It feels peaceful. There is no constant complaining, and everyone seems content with what they are doing. When Carter gave Gie 5000 CFA as a tip, he started tearing up. He was so thankful and said “thank you” more times than we could count. Gie was the GOAT but he is also just a normal Senegalese person – friendly, smiling, tall, wanting to learn about us, and share his story (he also likes to dance).
What I’m trying to say is that yes, life here can be very different from ours back home. Things are not always comfortable like they are for us. But the people do not complain. They seem happy with what they have and eager to share. Everyone helps one another, and there is a strong sense of connection and community. Where I come from, it is completely different. I come from a city that never sleeps, never slows down, and is never quiet. Many people there do not appreciate what they have and are always looking for more. Back home, some kids can be selfish and unhelpful. Here, the kids want to help their families because they understand the struggles around them.
Long story short, I truly enjoyed our time in the village on the island, even though it was just an hour or two. It helped me start to understand a way of life that I never thought I would experience. It showed me how hard life can be when resources are limited, but more importantly, it taught me something powerful. The people living in Senegal live without excuses and without constant complaints. They work to understand everything around them and to share what they know with visitors. They accept life as it is and try to enjoy it as much as they can and we have a lot to learn from them.
Thank you.
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